Justin Ashe Announces Candidacy for Rensselaer County Sheriff at Packed Campaign Kickoff in Troy
TROY, NY — March 10, 2026 — Veteran law enforcement professional Justin Ashe officially announced his candidacy for Rensselaer County Sheriff Tuesday evening during a campaign kickoff event held at Ryan’s Wake in the City of Troy, drawing an energetic and packed crowd of supporters, community members, and public safety professionals from across the county.
The announcement brought together individuals from both sides of the political aisle, reflecting what organizers described as a broad coalition of residents interested in the future direction of the Sheriff’s Office. The event marked the formal beginning of Ashe’s campaign for the 2027 election, launching significantly earlier than most sheriff’s campaigns in the county’s recent history.
By beginning his campaign nearly two years ahead of the election, Ashe is positioning himself to engage voters across every community in Rensselaer County. Supporters say the early start represents a major strategic shift compared to past races and could become a significant game changer in the race for the Sheriff’s Office.
“Leadership isn’t built overnight. It’s built over a lifetime of service,” Ashe told the packed crowd during his announcement speech. “That’s why I’m starting early — to earn your trust, listen to your concerns, and build a campaign focused on protecting our community.”
Ashe highlighted his two decades of experience in law enforcement, noting that his career has included work in a variety of investigative and enforcement roles. During that time, he has participated in high-impact investigations, some of which extended beyond the United States, requiring coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies.
“These investigations required decisive leadership, strategic coordination, and unwavering accountability,” Ashe said. “Throughout my career I have worked alongside local police departments, state police, federal agencies, and multi-jurisdictional task forces to dismantle drug trafficking networks, remove illegal firearms from our streets, and hold criminals accountable.”
While much of the evening focused on Ashe’s law enforcement background, he emphasized that his campaign is about more than his résumé.
“This campaign is about restoring trust in the Sheriff’s Office and ensuring that the office operates with professionalism, fairness, and accountability,” he said.
“The Office of Sheriff does not belong to a political party — it belongs to the people.”
Ashe pledged that if elected he will uphold the United States Constitution and the laws of New York State without bias or political influence.
“Law enforcement must be impartial. It must be fair. It must be rooted in the rule of law, not party loyalty,” Ashe said.
During the announcement, Ashe outlined several priorities he plans to pursue if elected Sheriff. Among them is the creation of a countywide Narcotics Task Force, developed in partnership with the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office, aimed at aggressively targeting drug trafficking networks impacting local communities.
He also pledged to expand support for the county’s volunteer fire service and create an EMS program operated by the Sheriff’s Office designed to strengthen emergency response capabilities across the county.
Another priority outlined by Ashe is greater transparency and accountability in budgeting, ensuring taxpayers have a clear understanding of how public funds are used both within the Sheriff’s Office and across county government.
In addition, Ashe said he supports implementing Centralized Arraignment Processing, which would streamline detainee processing, improve efficiency within the criminal justice system, and allow more deputies to remain on patrol protecting communities.
Ashe also emphasized the importance of rebuilding morale within the Sheriff’s Office and strengthening cooperation between agencies.
“We will restore morale within the agency by supporting our employees, listening to their concerns, and fostering a collaborative, team-driven culture where professionalism and respect are the standard,” he said.
He also pledged to strengthen partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to ensure Rensselaer County remains proactive in addressing emerging public safety challenges.
Beyond his professional career, Ashe spoke about his commitment to the community through coaching youth sports, mentoring young people, and serving on several boards of directors. He said those experiences have helped shape his perspective on leadership and public service.
“I am a proud father to Carter, Colton, and Makenna, and a husband to my wife Jamie,” Ashe said. “My family is my foundation. They remind me every day why this work matters.”
Ashe concluded his remarks by calling for unity among residents throughout the county.
“Rensselaer County deserves a Sheriff who leads with strength, fairness, and independence — a Sheriff who answers to the people, not party politics,” Ashe said. “Tonight I ask for your support not as Republicans, not as Democrats, but as neighbors.”
With the campaign officially underway, Ashe said he plans to spend the coming months meeting with residents, community organizations, and first responders across the county to discuss public safety concerns and outline his vision for the future of the Sheriff’s Office.
Political observers say Ashe’s early campaign launch and aggressive outreach strategy could significantly shape the race for Rensselaer County Sheriff as the 2027 election approaches.
